A Picture is Worth ...

Well, after a week of house guests (my sweet mother - whom I miss more than I could ever put words together to describe, and my niece and nephew) I finally had a moment to sit down and put together a little post of some of the changes that have happened at CDLV. As you probably know, I had an urge to shift from neutrals back to the colorful palette that I love ... and it took quite a while to put together all the parts.

The foyer got a dresser, perfect for storing candles and matches, gloves and scarves, and those pens and notepads I could never find when I needed them before. Atop the dresser, an old tin tray with black leather wrapped handles holds the mail, and a few pretty things too. (Above) I love having plants and fresh flowers in the house, but I am not good with plants that require a lot of attention. I've found that low/medium light ivy's can take a bit of abuse without giving up completely. This pothos is planted in a terracotta pot surrounded by a beautiful ash wicker basket. An antique door stop makes for interesting art, with it's original hand-painted coloring. The little brass urn was found at a thrift store in Austin, Texas, and it's empty (for now), but the blue and white tea jar holds individually wrapped mints. Great for grabbing on your way out the door!

The living room has had the most change. I layered one of the beautiful rugs that Scott brought back from Turkey when he lived abroad, over the seagrass and then started from there. The rug has gorgeous shades of blue, rust, cream, and a yellowy chartreuse. 

So, I brought in my rust colored velvet sofa, and had these new Pottery Barn Carlisle chairs slipcovered in Kravet Couture waxed linen in lemongrass. The trunk is new - an antique black leather and brass piece with beautiful markings and paintings. Unfortunately, in this photo, the little gilded footstool, covered in Oregano velvet by Scalamandre covers it up. 

On top of the trunk, are design books, all of my favorites, along with my favorite candle, antler, another ivy, African porcupine quills in a beautiful brass julip cup ... and the most interesting of the collection ... these little bronze busts from Africa sitting atop a vintage brass tray. Love these!

An ornately carved mirror, old bound and gilded books, and a beautiful piece of art are on the mantle. Just something simple. About 4 years ago, Scott and I picked up these curtain rod clips at an estate sale, and with the coloring of this one, I thought it was perfect perched atop my grandfather's pocket bible from WWII.

Eventually, I'll have some different artwork in those frames that the Picaso prints are in. Here you can see the chairs, and the beautiful line of that English Roll Arm. The other footstool, not a match but finished in the same way, more design books - I have them EVERYWHERE!!! - and the taffeta pillows! What a great story! I found that fabric 3 years ago at the Chelsea Flea in NYC, and had it hidden away. When I was searching for the perfect fabric for this room, I nearly cried. Nothing! Then one night - almost like a ghost decorator wanted to save the day - the fabric just appeared! Pillows were made, and I couldn't be happier!

In the dining room, not much has changed. I did have a new tablecloth made, and I changed the vignette on the sideboard a bit. I needed something less fussy. I'm not sure I got it ... but it does feel a bit cleaner to me.

The tablecloth is made from linen ticking in a cream and medium-brown. I got it for a great deal at Fabricguru.com. 

The tablecloth has a brush fringe all the way around the bottom of it, which carries that rust and blue and green into the dining room, and I had one of the ottomans covered in the same linen as the tablecloth. 

And that's where I leave ya. Do you think it's a good change? Are you loving the color? I hope so!